12 Best Wireless Headphones in 2019 Reviewed

updated: 13 May, 2019

Wireless is the future.

Some of the latest smartphones don’t even feature the 3.5mm headphone jack.

While this is one reason to buy a pair of wireless headphones there are other reasons and benefits. You are free of wires, so it is ideal for running or working out, but also great just for listening to music around the house.

Some of them have support for Alexa and Google Assistant and even allow you to stream directly from Spotify, Amazon Music, and Soundcloud.

So which are the best wireless headphones on the market?

In Short

Our top recommendation is the renowned smart noise-canceling, Bose QC35 II which comes with Google Assistant, built-in Amazon Alexa, and Bose AR, a top-rated augmented reality platform. Additionally, they are powered with 20 hours of battery life that will go all day long.

Still, its’ bitter rival, Sony WH-1000XM3 wireless noise-canceling headphones offer nothing else but great music listening experience. The WH-1000XM3 lets you escape the sounds of the city with advanced noise-canceling technology. Most of its users regard it as the most sensational, travel companion.

There are many reasons why a plethora of people adore the Bose QC 35 II. But the most important reasons why everyone likes them is their great audio quality, active noise cancellation, and 20-hour battery life.

Design and Features

These headphones come in black and silver, with a solid lightweight plastic build. Further, you will get a tough case for traveling—and they are lovelier than the purses most manufacturers opt to include.

From several tests done, the Bose QC35 II beats Sony WH-1000XM3 when it comes to sound clarity and other features. Still, the Sony WH-1000XM3’s audio quality is commendable due to its contextual sound monitoring feature, making it the fallback option for most people.

As for the pads used in the Bose QC35 II, they are remarkable, since they block out a load of external noise even if the noise cancellation is switched off. Equally, controls on the headphone are easy to use.

Still, the Google Assistant feature in Bose QC35 II is fast and accurate in picking up noises, even on crowded places. Though, you have to download the Bose App and use it to toggle noise-canceling and systemize the Google Assistant button.

Performance

Boss are the industry leaders when it comes to creating a sound deadening effect. And QuietComfort 35 II are similarly amazing as any sound devices produced by the company. Once the headphones are fastened around your ears, you will experience the best noise cancellation ability and top-rated sound quality.

The QC35 II is able to cut through the noise when the surrounding clatters intensify. Even more, they can silence an irritating hum from your office conditioning, or take in the roar of a transatlantic flight.

As mentioned above, the sound quality is exquisite, and their battery life is fantastic—20 hours battery lifetime even when the wireless feature and noise cancellation are enabled.

Stuff to Consider

Battery life is spot on, but it is not removable. So, you have to carry your micro USB charging cable along as you travel. Still, it’s annoying that Bose decided to use a 2.5mm and not a 3.5mm cable, which means finding a replacement won’t be a walk in the park. But that’s not a weighty issue.

Summary

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II is a travelers’ and commuters’ favorite because of their unmatched noise cancellation and balanced sound. Although they may not have the best looks, they are all-round headphones that audiophiles will find very interesting.

The High-Resolution Audio content of Sony WH-1000XM3 and remarkable noise-canceling pose a great challenge to the supremo Bose. Very few will ever come close to Sony WH-1000XM3’s sound ability. This explains why they are not much different from their predecessor (XM2).

Sony regards this upgrade as one of their best noise-canceling headphones. Nevertheless, the Sony WH-1000XM3 is 20g lighter, more comfortable than the XM2 and more enabled to last longer.

Design and Features

When you unbox the Sony WH-1000XM3, you will notice how crispy the design looks. Inside, you will find a formidable collection of accessories: the USB-C cable for charging, a strong case, and an auxiliary cable.

The Sony WH-1000XM3 comes in 2 colors—black or grey-silver— with an external engraving of the Sony logo directly above each ear cup. The ear cups swivel effortlessly, to ensure they fit perfectly on your head.

Sony hid the gesture controls in this version, and now they can be found on the right ear cup. Which might take quite some time to get used to. Nonetheless, once you get used to, you will like them. Near the left ear cup are two buttons on the headset—one is for cycling the noise cancellation, and the other is for power/Bluetooth.

The fast charging feature of Sony WH-1000XM3 is awe-inspiring. In about 10 minutes of charging, it will result in 5 hours of battery life. Moreover, it has a battery life of 30 hours.

Another design change is the fresh fit that substituted the old padding on the bridge for a cushiony one. Also, a new chip known as QN1 has been installed inside. QN1 processes signals four times faster than the old chip. Which means, the XM3 handles voices and non-vehicular noises much better than its predecessor.

A minor concern is that Sony replaced the metallic headband with a plastic one. Though this helped to shed off 20g from their predecessor, other users think it makes it feel less premium. But considering that you will be wearing them for long, every gram matters.

Performance

The battery life on Sony WH-1000XM3 is incredible since it sits in at 30 hours with the noise cancellation running. And that prolongs by 3 hours if noise cancellation is off.

All said, what matters the most when buying noise-canceling headphones is their effectiveness to block out sounds. Tests done by Sony, indicate that the WH-1000XM3 are four times better at canceling noise than their predecessor.

The WH-1000XM3 perform well in reducing loud noises to mere hums and sometimes eliminating the outside noises completely. Besides, you can selectively let some sounds into the headphone. All you need to do is select the ambient mode to hear announcements made over airports — the WH-1000XM3 feature the apt HD standard which is compatible with both Android and iPhone.

Stuff to Consider

The Sony WH-1000XM3 is smoother than its predecessor. Meaning it’s more likely to display tiny scratches and fingerprints. Even so, claims have it that this new smooth-tweak helps to create minimum noise when the headphones are being used. Still, handle your headphones carefully, and they will live long enough to see better days.

Summary

The Sony WH-1000XM3 are indeed comparatively minimalist headphones that appeals to the business-class user Sony is targeting. Anyway, they quickly pass as one of the leading noise-canceling wireless headphones on the market today.

Want a good sound at the lowest price? The Mpow H5 is probably the lowest-priced pair of headphones you will find fitted with tested active noise cancellation. Moreover, they have a 30 hours playtime battery life, an above average build quality. And easy-to-use control scheme.

Mpow H5 have great features for less value, but the Mpow H7 are a much cheaper option, and are still feature rich—they work with either a Bluetooth cable or via Bluetooth. However, if you decide to go wireless, the Mpow H7 will give you 15 hours of non-stop playback.

Design and Features

Mpow H5 Bluetooth Headphones have an undeniably premium look. Most of the style is the consequence of all earcups being decorated with a glossy aluminum plating. Apart from the earcups, the rest of the headset is predominantly built from non-glossy plastic.

The Mpow H5 has a decent build quality, and have a good fit over the ear, though they can sometimes be a little tight on the head, which makes them somehow suitable for specific kinds of sport. Furthermore, they are considered relatively durable and have an uncomplicated control scheme.

On the upside, they come with a nice portable carrying case, and they fold easily into a likable compact shape. At the rear of the left earcup is the ANC switch, whose power consumption matches that used by Bluetooth. Thus, it’s advisable to turn it off whenever you are not using it.

Performance

The Mpow H5 has a decent sound quality, an impressive bass quality and a clarity that competes with most top models. According to tests, its active noise-canceling feature works pretty well. Considering, it can drown nearby noises entirely when music is turned on. Nevertheless, in the absence of music, you will be able to hear nearby conversations.

About comfort, these headphones flounder a bit; it’s not that they are uncomfortable. But if you have average-sized ears and up, chances are that you will feel somehow squeezed due to the lesser earcups.

Overall, Mpow H5 provides a streamlined and natural user experience. That is, an easy to use control panel—a play/pause button, an on/off the noise-canceling switch, and 2 skip-track volume buttons. Even more, the H5 are surprisingly light, at about 8 ounces, and easily folds into the included semi-hard carrying case.

Stuff to Consider

If you are going to switch off noise cancellation to save battery, there will be somewhat a drop off in the quality of sound. However, this isn’t much of a worry—to make your H5 sound better, turn on active noise canceling.

Summary

If you are looking for a great pair of cheap headphones with the right amount of noise cancellation, so you can listen to music on the go, then you should consider buying the Mpow H5.

The COWIN E7 Pro is an upgraded pair of the old E7 headphones. This new creation is an improvement on the whole lot of things that users didn’t like about the E7. The COWIN E7 Pro [Upgraded] has better quality sound, a more comfortable padding, a stronger battery, and sturdier microphone.

Design and Features

Available in black, white and red, the COWIN E7 Pro has a reasonably good professional look. On the outside, are lustrous metallic earcups which give it a high-end aesthetic appeal.

They feature 45mm drivers and are relatively compact. Meaning the COWIN E7 Pro improved on sound clarity, specifically regarding bass response. Away from that, their 800 mAh battery life will provide you 30 hours of playback when fully charged. And you can listen via wire or Bluetooth, the way you like it!

Another prominent feature is that they are created around a shut, over-ear design, which inhibits sound from escaping into the surroundings—a necessary function for ANC technology.

Performance

When it comes to portability, the COWIN E7 Pro outperforms several high-end headphones. A whopping 30-hour battery life, a light in weight build about 10.6 ounces, and a pleasantly made semi-rigid carrying case will make you want to take the COWIN E7 Pro home today.

The headphones have above average sound quality. Thanks to the 45 mm aperture which offer a boosted bass response. Though a few customers find this boost a bit extra. Further to this, the improved noise-canceling technology (NCA) noticeably quells busy office noise, and city noise to let you pay attention to the sounds in your ear.

Overall, the upgraded soft ear cushions provide more comfort and durability. And have a much stable in-built microphone and near field communication (NFC) technology for hands-free calls and a natural connection to your Bluetooth-enabled devices.

Stuff to Consider

The seal of the earcups looks fragile. To keep them safe, use your COWIN E7 Pro carefully.

Summary

The COWIN E7 Pro are always stable for light jogs, making them an excellent pick for more casual listeners —those who want to enjoy music from some transcendent sounding, budget headphones that can be used even without wires.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX raises the bar for wireless active noise-canceling performance. They are the first adaptive noise-canceling pair of headphones from the British high-end audio brand.

And they made a bold statement with these—Breathtaking audio performance with intuitive controls that respond smoothly to your behavior for a custom experience.

Design and Features

The Bowers & Wilkins PX are shockingly good looking; a choice of either soft gold or space grey is available. The exterior of the over-ears is predominantly cold metal and supple leather. The top of the headband is furnished with an appealing texture, that’s replicated to the outer edge of the earcups.

You get what you pay for with the PX in terms of noise-canceling ability. The PX has 3 noise-canceling modes operated through the Bowers and Wilkins Headphones App. Buttons are located outside, on the right ear cup to enable you play, pause or adjust volume easily. Into technology, the PX features a sophisticated internal system that automatically pauses if you lift an ear cup.

Although the PX is designed for wireless use, they come with a 3.5mm headphone socket; in case you decide to use wire. The battery is charged using a Type-C USB connection. When full, the battery can be used up to 50 hours where play and pause are alternated. Still, in the case of non-stop action, the PX should sustain 22 hours of continuous use.

As far as sound expertise goes, the Bowers & Wilkins PX wireless headphones know how to integrate advanced auditory designs. For instance, the driver units are positioned in angular plates to allow drivers to point towards the center of both ears for a better soundstage.

Primarily, the PX gives you a great feeling once they are on your head. They’re lightweight but with a solid sensation. Despite that, the headband is enclosed in smooth leather. Additionally, there is a considerable volume of space between your ear and the driver making it stress-free to find a perfect fit.

Performance

No other noise-canceling wireless headphones can match the sophisticated pleasure of listening to music on the Bowers & Wilkins PX.

Tests on the PX indicate their ability to combat flight noise. In a noisy room, conversations are rapidly removed from the headphones by the noise-canceling flight mode. What’s more, for moderate audibility, the office mode performs good work.

When the noise-canceling is turned off, the headphones allow for a rich, refine sound around them. The preciseness in music doesn’t vanish when noise cancellation is on. If anything, the acoustic and echoes remain precise.

The Bowers & Wilkins PX flaunts its internal integration of the aptX HD codec. As we speak, apt X is considered the most elegant wireless sound format out there. And this explains their superb audio quality.

Stuff to Consider

Some customers feel like the cushioning on the headband isn’t enough. Thus, they have to adjust them once in a while to eliminate the pressure on top of the head in the course of extended listening sessions.

Summary

The Bowers and Wilkins PX have a pleasant sound, the right bass, and 3 noise-canceling modes. Thus, they can safely be recommended to anyone who wants the best headphones regarding Active Noise Cancelling.

If you are a passionate runner, a nice pair of sweat-resistant unconventional sport headphones is essential. Whether you are stretching, or not, let the Plantronics Backbeat 500 sport headphones bring your favorite music to life.

Design and Features

Its design is relatively unique with gallant angles on the headband and teal colored inflections. Similarly, the elevated controls on the rubberized panel are easy to spot and are spaced out far enough for ease of use.

The BackBeat 500 FIT’s military grade P2i nano-coating works incredibly well, and can even stop water poured directly on them.

The microphone for voice activation and calls operate efficiently so you won’t have a problem with your calls. Beyond this, it has a powerful Bluetooth so you can move freely without having to worry about the direct line of sight. Plus, you can pair the headphones with 2 devices simultaneously.

Performance

The audio quality is ahead of the curve for running headphones considering their price range. They provide pleasing, and warm sound that that operates well with rap, rock and pop music.

The BackBeat FIT 500 offers an unmistakable boost bass, which works in favor of the headphone, by blocking external sounds. Even so, the bass is well regulated to limit some of the energy of the mids which affects the clarity of vocal-heavy music.

The headphones come with 18 hours of battery life which should last you a full day’s use. Or several days, maybe even a week before it starts discharging if you aren’t using it.

Stuff to Consider

The Plantronics BackBeat Fit 500 uses a micro USB port and not USB-C. Unfortunately, it doesn’t fast charge. Still on the downside, despite including a micro USB cable in the box, you have to find your wall plug.

Summary

Though clamping is felt after 45 minutes of workout, they still offer a secure fit while moving around. Into the bargain, the water repellant P2i coating and lightweight, plastic casing make the BackBeat 500 FIT an awesome sound gadget for running.

The Under Armour JBL Sport Wireless Train are intended to handle lots of sweat. These water resistant headphones are covered with rubber to protect the audio jack and charging port. Further, the Sport Wireless Train are made of washable, detachable breathable fabric earcups with ability to handle up to 10 minutes of water splashing.

Design and Features

As far as design goes, the JBL UA Sport Wireless Train are sturdy and adaptive enough to survive hard tackles. And that’s why they look different from other JBL cans since they were created to be rugged, which is a good thing for those who intend to use them for more than the basic drills.

Its case store 3,5mm cable, a micro USB charging cable, an inline remote and mic. They come in 2 colors: black on black, and red on black. Of course! They look sleek and stylish. On top is an elastic headband with tight grip padding to hold your headphones in position.

The perforated ear cushions are fitted out with Under Armor’s Super Vent fabric to absorb sweat and cool your ears. On the exterior, the earcups are protected with an IPX4-rated rubber chassis to ward off water and dust. Aside from that, the controls are located to the right ear cup, stuck out and easy to use.

Performance

Like any JBL headphone, the UA Sport Wireless Train have the bass-heavy sound profile. Flexing enough sonic muscle to keep the workouts going. Pushing the Under Armor button on the right side turns the TalkThru feature to life allowing you to hear what your friends or personal trainer are saying. Besides, you can pick calls with a fantastic experience.

Most JBL UA Sport Wireless Train users don’t experience any skips or jumps, which is good. Additionally, the headphones connect via Bluetooth 4.1, meaning it will allow you to listen up to a 10m range.

Again, they feature 610mAH battery with 16 hours lifetime. However much of a tradeoff it might seem, a larger battery could have probably made the headphones more cumbersome.

Stuff to Consider

The JBL Under Armour Sport Wireless Train headphones misses the noise cancellation feature. Surprisingly, that doesn’t affect its sound quality that much, though its presence would have been appreciated.

N700NC is a bold first entrance for Samsung and AKG. They are comfortable, sturdy, noise-canceling headphones built for audiophiles. Since these cans evidently shine in musical reproduction.

Design and Features

The AKG N700NC are greatly-designed wireless headphones that provide a premium feel. They have the high-end appeal with leather-lined earcups. Nevertheless, they have a slightly off design with the headband hinges resulting in broader and heavier headphones.

These 9.2 ounces foldable headphones come with a top-quality hard case, a 3.5 mm audio cable and a micro USB charging cable. These are long-trips headphones since the memory ear pads are tighter, deeper, and feature a fluffy barrier between your ear and the external surroundings.

Similarly, the headband is well-padded, meaning you can wear the headphones the entire workday without feeling clutched.

Though the headphones are predominantly plastic, the quality appears to be good, and the hinge is metallic. Besides, the controls are positioned on each earpiece to provide both “Ambient Aware” mode and “TalkThru” mode.

Performance

They are an authoritative soundstage that offers clear highs, excellent bass, and unique mids. They also provide great noise-canceling. Further, when the Ambient Aware is activated, your music notch lowers so you can hear what happens around you.

Unfortunately, the AKG N700NC doesn’t integrate any advanced wireless codecs, not apt X, or LDAC. Even then, they exhibit surprisingly the same timbral response in both wireless and wired modes.

The AKG N700NC flaunts a battery life of 20 hours when both active noise cancellation and Bluetooth are switched on. And 36 hours when the ANC is off and used as wired headphones.

Stuff to Consider

The EQ function missing preinstalled equalizer presets might be a drawback. Though this can be fixed effortlessly with an update to the app.

Summary

On a serious note, you don’t need extra silence than these cans can deliver. So, if you want a sleek pair with noise cancellation, and sound superiority of a top-tier, the N700NC are worth your while.

The V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless top the list of the most versatile headphones with an Immortal Life Guarantee. They eye-catching headphones with impressive audio, whether wired or wireless.

Design and Features

This pair of lightweight headphones are designed to survive a startling amount of punishment. Which secures the safety of your investment when you grab for yourself a pair. And they fit well into a beautiful case.

They have a click fold hinges and metal frame which further accentuates their sturdiness. The headband features a comfortable memory foam padding-—which additionally sticks the headphones to your ears.

The headphones feature a micro USB input on the left ear cup. On the other hand, it’s on the right cup where you will find the Bluetooth, power, play control buttons, a 3.5mm input and a mic. And like any other V-MODA‘s product, you will be offered customizable 3D printed shields. The shields come in different colors and material—rose gold, all-black or white.

Performance

The V-MODA Crossfade 2 Wireless produce a slightly high bass response, making them appear punchy and warm. The soundstage is good, and they have a decent attack speed to help its music sound more thrilling.

On sub-bass, the headphones bring the most sought after low-frequency response. Even at top volumes, no distortion is evident. Still, its bass is well-balanced with clear highs. Over and above, the vocals are unmistakable with no clue of added sibilance.

They provide multipoint Bluetooth. However, auto play/ pause, app control, and ANC aren’t available to control cutting-edge digital signal dispensation. The good, battery life is okay with 14 hours of a lifetime playing at medium volume.

Stuff to consider

The V-Moda Crossfade 2 doesn’t include the apt X feature in the white and black models. It’s only offered in the pricier rose gold model.

Summary

They are stylish, well-built headphones, with clear sound. Probably not the perfect headphones in any specific class. But if you are rough with your stuff, and want wireless headphones that check off a lot of boxes, the V-MODA Crossfade 2 is your best bid.

Design and Features

The Beats Studio 3 come in porcelain red, blue, red, white, and matte black with metal inflections on the band. Noteworthy, the physical connections and controls are positioned on the earcups. With the left ear cup hosting a 3.5mm audio port while the right houses the micro USB charging port.

The product is predominantly plastic with soft over-ear cushions integrated into cutting-edge venting. And a themed user-friendly pivoting for a custom, flexible fit for any head.

Performance

The Beats Studio3 wireless headphones are revolutionizing the way societies are listening to music. Considering, the Pure ANC aggressively blocks external noise as real-time audio setting maintains a top-listening experience.

When fully-featured, the Beats Studio3 wireless battery delivers up to 22hours of non-stop playback the entire day. Even more, when the Pure ANC is switched off, the battery life shoots up to 40 hours.

The included Apple W1 chip meant for Class 1 Wireless Bluetooth connectivity, and a quick-charging battery provides you 3 hours of playtime in a 10-minute charge.

Stuff to Consider

Might not perform excellently with non iOS devices. So test compatibility with your current device before buying.

Summary

Beats took a decent wireless noise-canceling headphone and amplified its performance. Making them the number one choice for artists and anyone who wants to experience the high end abilities this set has to offer.

Engineered in-house by the Surface crew, these noise-canceling wireless cans derive much of their design elements from Microsoft computers. The end product is a classic pair of headphones with reliable audio performance.

Design and Features

Apart from the sophisticated finish, the Surface Headphones come with a big, robust travel case, considering the cans don’t fold up as small as competing alternatives. These very grey, regular-sized with an adjustable band headphone are a perfect fit for both people with narrow and broad heads.

The right ear cup features a 3.5mm input, a USB-C input, surface sensors, and 15 hours of playback from the quick charging headphones. What more desirable, the plastic used dispense their high-quality feel and padded earcups and headband offer extended hours of comfort.

They have a built-in Cortana App and very effective touch-panel control on either side of the earcups. Inside each ear cup is a 40 mm full-range driver to allow distortion-free volume. Additionally, the ear cups house 2 mics that evaluate ambient noises as they relate to noise cancellation. All the more, they feature 13 steps of intensity cancellation.

Performance

The soundstage produced by Microsoft Surface is astonishingly warm—a characteristic of top-tier brands. And the bass frequencies are very remarkable, with the subtlest bass coming through wonderfully.

The active noise-canceling does its work well, despite being unable to block out external ambient noises completely. Still, you won’t be disturbed by sounds in noisy offices or rumbling trains.

The functionality of inbuilt dials on each cup is very impressive. Further, the in-built voice assistant is easily activated by long tapping either housing—though it offers less excitement since voice calls aren’t stellar.

Stuff to Consider

A Warning with the headband: the slide bar used to adjust its size is susceptible to open as you knock your head around, and may trap longer hair.

Summary

Microsoft Surface Headphones aren’t the best in the industry. But they are a good pair of solid audio performance and satisfying noise cancellation cans perfect for listeners who dislike sharp mids and trebles.

Design and Features

The Momentum 2.0 Wireless come with a micro-USB charging cable, a 3.5 mm audio cable and a carrying case.

A sturdy, lightweight metal headband accentuates its asymmetrical design. The headband houses 2 small metal hinges that enable the headphone to fold easily before storage. The ear pads are made of soft leather and are porous enough to let in the air which prevents your head and ears from sweating.

All the controls for music and power are found on the right ear cup. On top of its Bluetooth 4.0, the headphones support the apt codec, which enhances sound quality when streaming via Bluetooth.

Performance

The Momentum 2.0 Wireless offer an uninterrupted, and stable Bluetooth connection. Mattering much, the mid to high frequencies are detailed and precise both in the wired or wireless modes. Perhaps, the bass is more neutral.

The active noise cancellation eliminates nearly all outside low and mid-range noises. Conversely, you can hear some treble in case there is high volume noise nearby. The ANC works well with the integrated dual mics to enable you to have an exciting call experience.

Stuff to Consider

The Momentum 2.0 Wireless noise-cancellation feature cannot be turned on /off at will—if the Bluetooth is on the future is on. As a result, you cannot save a little battery journey on a voyage. Thank God, they come with whopping 22-hour battery life.

Summary

Their price tag aside, the Momentum 2.0 Wireless are a comfortable pair with superb sound quality and compact features. And since their mid and high frequencies are apparent, they may work as a treat to pop and rock lovers.

Useful Information Regarding Wireless Headphones

Wireless headphones used to have plenty of problems. Nowadays, most of those problems are a thing of the past. Technology advances at a rapid pace, and so does the technology that makes the wireless headphones work.

The problems are that there are too many choices, and not all of the wireless headphones are created equal. We have gathered all of the useful information that you should have in your mind before you purchase a new set of headphones. So, you don’t need to waste time browsing the Internet for hours on end. We have done it for you.

Things to Look For

There are a few things that you need to keep in your mind before you can make a smart purchase.

Fit and comfort: The most important factor is comfort. If you don’t feel comfortable when wearing your new wireless headphones, then the quality doesn’t matter. Luckily, most of the wireless headphones come with extra ear tips. One of them might be a good fit for you. Make sure that you enjoy wearing your headphones and that they don’t cause any discomfort.

Battery life: Always take battery life into consideration. You wouldn’t want your headphones to turn off when you least need them to. Fortunately, most of the good wireless headphones provide you with at least 15 hours of battery life. Better models come with batteries that work for over 20 hours before they need recharging. The best wireless headphones will give you 30 and more hours of entertainment.

Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation technology makes sure that no outside noise reaches your ears. This provides you with the best possible listening experience. Wireless headphones without noise cancellation are not bad. On the contrary, they are good for walks in the street and jogs in the park. But, if you plan to use your new wireless headphones in your home, then go for the ones with active noise cancellation.

Wireless range: Always check the wireless range of your headphones. Most of the time, you won’t need a large range. But, in our opinion, don’t go for headphones with a wireless range less than 20ft.

Weight: The ideal wireless headphones should never make you feel like you are carrying a heavy load on your head. Most of the wireless headphones weigh between eight and nine ounces. But, bear in mind that some models are over 10 ounces heavy. So, make sure to check out the weight of headphones before you buy them.

Ease of use: Most of the wireless headphones are plug and play. This means that you can use them almost as soon as you’ve taken them out of their package. But, there are certain headphones that come with their own software. Some headphone applications are easy-to-use, while the others are more complicated. So, if you don’t want to waste time getting used to new software, then go for plug and play wireless headphones.

Sturdiness: If you are clumsy as we are, then you need sturdy wireless headphones. Avoid cheap plastic as much as you can. Try to find a model with a metal frame. If you can’t afford headphones with a metal frame, then go for sturdy plastic.

Types of Wireless Connections

There are a couple of different types of wireless connections. The most popular type today is Bluetooth. Unfortunately, headphone jacks are slowly becoming a thing of the past (thank you, Apple.) Luckily, Bluetooth is here to save the day. If your phone doesn’t have a headphone jack, then the best choice is Bluetooth. It is energy-efficient and has a large range.

Another option is a USB-C headphone dongle. If you are connecting your wireless headphones to your PC, then a USB-C headphone dongle is a very good option. On the other hand, a USB-C headphone dongle is not a good option for phones. Sooner or later you will need to charge your phone. So, you will have to unplug your headphones, which is certainly not the best option.

There are a couple of other methods of connecting wireless headphones, but they are mostly used for the TV. Infrared and radiofrequency connection methods are dated and rare for a reason.

In the end, our advice is to go for Bluetooth or USB-C headphone dongle.

Bluetooth Information

Since most of the wireless headphones utilize the Bluetooth connection, it is important to know a couple of facts.

Earlier versions of Bluetooth were bad sound-wise. The sound produced by early Bluetooth headphones was compressed and sounded horrible. The audio codec used in the first models of Bluetooth headphones was SBC. So, make sure to avoid Bluetooth wireless headphones that come with the SBC audio codec – your ears will thank you.

A new audio codec was introduced some time ago – aptX. It can provide you with CD audio quality. An improved version is aptX HD. It can give you an unparalleled listening experience on your Bluetooth wireless headphones, and it almost eliminates audio latency. So far, it isn’t supported by a large number of devices, but we hope that things will change in the near future.

Another popular audio codec is the AAC. Since the iPhone doesn’t support aptX, it supports the AAC, which provides CD audio quality. Using AAC-compatible wireless headphones with Apple Music is the best audio experience for Apple devices.

Over-ear or On-ear Wireless Headphones?

You have noticed that we mention whether the wireless headphones are over-ear or on-ear. They might look the same at a first glance, but it is important that you know the differences.

Over-ear Wireless Headphones

As the name implies, these headphones completely cover your ear. You will notice that the ear tips are large, and some of them come with a cushion to make wearing them more comfortable. Most of the over-ear wireless headphones provide passive noise-canceling properties, but if you want the real deal, go for headphones that advertise noise-canceling properties.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of downsides that may sway your decision. First of all, over-ear headphones tend to be large and bulky, which might play a role in your comfort. Another problem is that wearing over-ear headphones during summer may cause you to sweat.

All in all, over-ear headphones provide a more intimate listening experience, and most of them are comfortable. But, be sure that you opt-in for a model that fits your head well.

On-ear Wireless Headphones

You will easily notice on-ear wireless headphones due to their smaller size. They don’t cover your ears, but they rest on your ears.

They are good for hot days because they allow airflow between them and your ears. But, they don’t suppress the outside noise as well as the over-ear headphones do. Another problem that you might notice is that on-ear headphones tend to press down on your ears. After a while, you might feel discomfort due to the pressure on your ears.

If you are planning to buy on-ear wireless headphones, then our advice is to try them on if it is possible.